Mangliwan cops first Asian Para Games gold for PH's fifth in Hangzhou
2023-Oct-29 17:04
2024-Jul-15 01:49
PHOTO: PSC-POC Media Group
Jerrold Mangliwan finally broke his gold medal drought in the Asian Para Games after four tries with a dramatic finish this 2023 in Hangzhou, China.
Mangliwan completed a come-from-behind victory in the men's 400-meter T52 finals after slipping past Japan's Ueyonabaru Hirota in the last 30 meters for his first gold in the Para Asiad and the Philippines' fifth in the ongoing continental tiff on Friday, October 27.
Off the sixth lane, Mangliwan made his move at the halfway mark to enter the homestretch in second place before going neck-to-neck with Hirota.
He nosed out the Japanese wheelchair racer, who won the bronze medal in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with a new personal best of 1.01.54. Hirota settled for silver with a recorded time of one minute and 1.79 seconds.
Hirota's compatriot Ito Tatsuya, who captured the men's 100m T52 title on a record-breaking performance, completed the podium cast with 1:04.96 for third place.
"I've been in the Asian Games four times, and it's only now that I won a medal like this. I really gave my all," the Tabuk, Kalinga native said.
Mangliwan's gold kept the nationals at 12th place in the overall medal tally.
The six-time ASEAN Para Games gold medal winner became the Philippines' third double medalist in the 44-nation quadrennial meet after swimmer Ernie Gawilan and woodpusher Menandro Redor – took home two golds a day before in the men's individual and team standard VI-B2 tilts.
On the other hand, the Filipino para chess team continued their good showing after a three-gold haul in the standard competition.
This time, in the rapid chess events that Coach James Infiesto said was the Philippines' forte.
Individual standard PI (physically impaired) silver medalist Henry Roger Lopez shared the pole position with Iran's Aski, as both had 3.5 points. The two fought for a draw in their fourth round encounter.
The Philippines' Jasper Rom was also in podium contention with three points for a solo hold of the second spot.
In the men's B2/B3, Darry Bernardo was running second with 3.5 points, followed by Redor in third place with three points.
Following a lackluster outing in the PI events, Chery Angot was on the verge of redemption in the women's PI rapid chess, as she kept her unbeaten record after four rounds for four points.
PI standard champion Attorney Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza and Vietnam's Doan Thu Huyen, whom she beat, were tied for second place with three points each.